New Girl in Town!

Next time you’re in Carmichael, I recommend that you visit Veranda Living, next to Cottage Girls on Palm, just east of Fair Oaks Blvd. Susan Powers is the proprietor, and you’ll find a very nice mix of vintage antiques and collectables at reasonable prices. It’s worth a visit and a welcome addition to the neighborhood!

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Looking for a Weekend DIY Project?

If the weather forecasters are accurate, tomorrow will be a wet one; the perfect day to complete an indoor project. How about creating a “window pane” wall of mirrors, as was done in Amy Dragoo’s Manhattan loft? After painting the wall black, Amy and her husband hung 48 mirrors using a laser level and mirror…

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Finding Your Authentic Design Style

Are you trendy or traditional; cottage or mid-century vintage; contemporary or simply not certain? Well, if you’re not sure, you’re in good company! And that’s where some people can benefit from the services of a design “mentor”…someone who will help you stay true to the style that serves you best. In my mind’s “eye”, good…

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Orchid Beauty

There is almost nothing more gracefully beautiful than a blooming white orchid. They’re also an excellent value, since they’ll bloom in your home or office for a month or two. But what do you do with the plant when it’s finished blooming? Well, if you’re one of the fortunate few, you just place it in…

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Mix and Match Bedding

Q: Do you want your bedding to look like it popped out of a matching “Bed in a Bag” set? A: No! Bedding is a wonderful way to express a bit of your own personality. Are you conservative, fanciful, modern or minimalist? You can change the look of a bedroom in minutes. With pillow inserts,…

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Fine Design at Lorien Hotel & Spa

I try to grab every opportunity I can to surround myself with wonderful design, especially when I get a chance to spend some quality time with my daughter. Visiting Alexandria, the town where George Washington announced his bid for the presidency, and stepped down from the job, eight years later, is full of history. I…

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Flower Arranging 101

It’s simple to create a centerpiece for your table, at half the price of what a florist would charge. (I spent about $20, picking up flowers at my not-so-cheap market) First of all, start with a low profile vase, so you’ll be able to see over the arrangement, while sitting at the table. Fill the…

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Filmore, Hayes & Chestnut Streets, San Francisco’s Best Botiques

Well, now I’ve seen the best of San Francisco’s shopping meccas. We started our exploration at the “big box” fashion stores, in Union Square, followed by a trek to Nordstrom’s and Bloomingdale’s in the big Westfield mall on Market. While these stores are lovely, there’s just too much of everything! For my money, I’ll take…

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Beautiful Arrangements

While Christmas shopping at Union Square in San Francisco, I saw the beautiful, simple arrangements, that anyone can create. With cedar greens, red berries and white mums, an elegant, simple yet festive look has been achieved. I’m hoping I’ll be able to squeeze a trip to the flower mart in, before returning home.

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Gift Giving for the Home or Garden

If there’s someone special on your shopping list, who loves their garden and/or making their home more beautiful, Hi Hand Nursery, on Taylor Rd., in Loomis, is worth a special trip. But don’t start anything this important on an empty stomach! Delicious lunches and dinners are served every day except Monday and Tuesday. And don’t…

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Festive Sur la Table

If you want a little inspiration to entertain, bake, or try out a new kitchen gadget, stopping in at any of the Sur la Table gourmet cooking shops should do the trick. San Francisco’s store is the chain’s largest volume store, and one of the prettiest, in my opinion. We have our very own store…

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